Why DON'T they like Romney?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LDAHL

If the Clinton years taught us anything, it was that the voting public will tolerate a high degree of sleaze in politicians.

---

So, you do admit that Newt is a total sleaze. See, liberals and conservatives can agree on some things.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gregg

Macroeconomic trends can take years or even decades to play out. The Clinton boom years were in large part set up by Reagan policies. The tech bubble inflated under Clinton and burst under Bush. The housing bubble had been inflating since the early 80's, hit overdrive under Bush and burst under Obama. Regardless of who wins the election the US needs to take a longer term approach to solving our problems or we will be in dire straights.

---

That is ridiculous. That's what Republicans always say when their policies fail.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by alan

It's been my experience that the further left of the political center an individual is, the more they make of racial differences. As you move further right of center, you may notice that race becomes secondary to individual characteristics such as the content of their character. Of course, those on the extreme left might argue that the failure to group individuals racially is the ultimate proof of racism, in much the same manner that many felt it necessary to apply the racist label to anyone who disagreed with our current president.

This community would make an interesting case study on the subject.

---

Unbelievable. Wow, just, wow.

I'll tell you why I wouldn't like Romney if I were a conservative.

1. He was the governor of "Taxachussetts," and governed as a moderate. He reminds folks that Romneycare didn't ruin the state, so that kinda destroys the argument about Obamacare ruining the whole country and whatnot.

2. He's a flip flopper par excellence. I wouldn't trust him because he will say anything, literally anything, to get elected, depending on the audience. He has been known to say two opposing things in a single day. How much can a candidate stretch the "I evolved in my positions" meme?

3. If I hated Obama, I would not want a mild mannered establishment possibly centrist candidate. I would want a firebreathing, take no prisoners kind of guy, like Newt. I would want someone to validate my world view. Romney attacks Obama, but not with any particular relish that I can see. He's not comfortable throwing red meat to the base. He does it, but he doesn't love it.


4. Which leads to the personality thing. He is not a natural politician. He's awkward, stiff and sometimes appears like a phoney. He's polished up his act considerably, but still he has less authenticity, appeal and charisma than Obama. The base keeps thinking there's someone at least as good as Obama in the personality department, but right now none of the remaining candidates can match Obama. Those of you afflicted with Obama Derangement Syndrome can't see that obviously, but really, Obama is a charming and accomplished individual and the country is in better shape now than when he took office, whether you want to acknowledge that or not. So, the base is nervous. Even though a lot of folks (including those on the left) are not satisfied with Obama, he is still a very gifted politician, and Romney may not have the skill level to defeat him. So, in terms of electability, I would be concerned, but I also wouldn't be able to come up with anyone better.

4. Many folks on the right believe that this is a center right country and that if a "real" conservative ran for office and clearly pronounced "real" conservative values, then Americans would stop being confused and understand that this is what we need. This is kind of Santorum's argument. But in point of fact, the real conservative agenda is not particularly mainstream or attractive to the majority of folks not in red states. Witness: Wisconsin. Ohio. Michigan.

As a postscript, the Mormon thing is utterly irrelevant. Nobody really cares in the end. The only thing conservatives need to ask themselves is whether Romney has a good shot at beating Obama. He may not deliver everything they want but 75% of what you want is better than 0% of what you want. This is my argument to liberals as well.

In the end, I would be shocked if Mitt does not get the nomination.

I think Romneycare is fine for the state of Mass. States get to make their own decisions for their citizens, not forced by one-size-fits-all mandate by the feds. Vive la difference. That has not turned me off Mitt despite the constant yammering from my intellectual superiors who seem to think I cannot see the analogy. I guess that's why this point is played about 50,000 times daily on the mass media outlets, they only want what is best for me. Isn't it a shame that I'm too stupid to see this?

Quote:

---

1. He was the governor of "Taxachussetts," and governed as a moderate.

---

As an aside the "Taxxachussetts" nonsense is just that. Ironically MA has much lower taxes than California. I know what their state taxes in MA are with all their so called "high taxes". They aren't the 10% state taxes that a Califiornian pays (they are several % lower). I know what their sales taxes are with all their so called "high taxes" (they aren't the 9% or so a Californian pays, several % lower). If I wanted a significant tax CUT I'd move to "Taxachussetts", really I'd save hundreds probably thousands by doing so.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ApatheticNoMore

As an aside the "Taxxachussetts" nonsense is just that. Ironically MA has much lower taxes than California. I know what their state taxes in MA are with all their so called "high taxes". They aren't the 10% state taxes that a Califiornian pays (they are several % lower). I know what their sales taxes are with all their so called "high taxes" (they aren't the 9% or so a Californian pays, several % lower).

---

We're at the stage of thinking about retirement locations. While taxes in Massachusetts are much higher than in New Hampshire, they are lower than in any other northeastern state. They are comparable to Maryland and Pennsylvania, with reasonable treatment of retirement income.

http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/336.html

The only issue is that my favorite cap may not go over so well with the locals.

http://compare.ebay.com/like/2607572..._lwgsi=y&cbt=y

One of my main problems with Massachusetts is that simply moving my household goods there would make me a felon.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bae

One of my main problems with Massachusetts is that simply moving my household goods there would make me a felon.

---

So don't move.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bae

One of my main problems with Massachusetts is that simply moving my household goods there would make me a felon.

---

ohhhhh, do you mean guns?